Nintendo Online App Launches July 21, Details Revealed

We knew there would be at least one big surprise in the Splatoon 2 Nintendo Direct this morning. In addition to a surprise Splatfest announcement, Nintendo also revealed that its online app and service, Nintendo Online, will be launching on July 21 alongside Splatoon 2. “This paid service lets Nintendo Switch owners enjoy online multiplayer gaming as well as a dedicated smartphone app that connects to your Nintendo Switch system and helps you connect with friends for online play sessions in compatible games.”

So what exactly will be launching on July 21? This will be a limited version of the Nintendo Online service, which will be navigated mainly by using your smartphone. At first, Splatoon 2 will be the only multiplayer game that uses the service. You’ll be able to:

Link to compatible games

In Splatoon 2, the app will give you access to SplatNet 2, where you can see your online battle stats, your gear, and much more.

Invite friends and voice chat during games

With the app, you can send online play invitations to players on your Nintendo Switch system’s friend list. The app also lets you quickly send invites via social networks and messaging services. When you’re invited to a game, you’ll get notified right away via a push notification on your smart device.

Once players are connected, you can use voice chat openly with friends while in the online lobby and during online play (depending on the game).

How Will This Be Different From the Full Version of Nintendo Online?

For those of you who may be confused, Nintendo Online will be similar to what Xbox has with Xbox Live Gold, and what PlayStation has with PS Plus. On July 21 we’re going to see a soft launch of Nintendo Online, and anyone will be able to download and use it for free. You’ll also be able to continue to play Nintendo Switch games online, like you do right now, for free. After the free trial period is over and Nintendo Online officially launches with full features next year, you’ll have to pay a subscription fee to keep playing your games online and enjoy Nintendo Online’s features.

The prices aren’t bad though! Don’t sweat it. Nintendo Online is going to be much cheaper than Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus. A one-month membership is only four bucks. If you want three months of service you can pay $8, while a full year is only $19.99. That’s about a third of what you pay for Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus.

So What Do You Get With Your Membership?

In addition to the smart device app which will let you invite your friends to parties and games, use voice chat to communicate with your friends, and interact with your games in a variety of ways, Nintendo Online will also boast another unique feature similar to what Xbox Live Gold members see with their Free Games With Gold, and PS Plus members see with their monthly lineup of free games.

Class Game Selection will let Nintendo Online members enjoy a monthly selection of classic Nintendo games like Super Mario Bros. 3, Dr. Mario, and many more. These games will rotate in and out with the service, similar to the Xbox Game Pass, and if Nintendo Online members decide they want to buy them for good, they’ll have special discounts available to them.

In fact, special eShop discounts are another perk that Nintendo Online members will be able to look forward to. Right now the Nintendo eShop for 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch features occaisional sales, and we assume that Nintendo Online members will get additional discounts (probably ranging in 5-10%) on top of those sale prices. That’s just our speculation, though, so we’ll have to wait and see how it pans out.

We don’t know for sure when the full version of Nintendo Online will launch, but the first stage rolls out July 21, and we can’t wait to try it.